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Assessment Description
The field of nursing has changed over time. In a 750‐1,000-word paper, discuss nursing practice today by addressing the following:
- Explain how nursing practice has changed over time and how this evolution has changed the scope of practice and the approach to treating the individual.
- Compare the differentiated practice competencies between an associate (ADN) and baccalaureate (BSN) education in nursing. Explain how scope of practice changes between an associate and baccalaureate nurse.
- Identify a specific client care situation and describe how nursing care, or approaches to decision making, differ between the BSN‐prepared nurse and the ADN nurse.
- Discuss the significance of applying evidence‐based practice to nursing care and explain how the academic preparation of the RN‐BSN nurse supports its application.
- Discuss how nurses today communicate and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and how this supports safer and more effective client outcomes.
Review the “APA Formatting Tutorial,” located in Class Resources. Utilize the APA paper template and the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center, to ensure correct paper formatting when preparing applicable assignments.
You are required to cite a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be appropriate for the assignment and relevant to nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The nursing profession has undergone significant changes over the years, leading to a shift in the scope of practice and the way patients are treated. As a medical professor, it is important to evaluate and assess the evolving nature of nursing practice to ensure that our students are updated with the latest trends and knowledge. In this assignment, students are required to discuss the changes in nursing practice, differentiate the competencies between an associate and baccalaureate education in nursing, identify client care situations, discuss evidence-based practice, and explore interdisciplinary collaboration.
Answer:
The field of nursing has seen a significant evolution in the past century, with changes in the scope of practice that have majorly impacted patient care. Initially, nurses were considered to be caregivers who provided comfort to patients. However, the role of modern-day nurses is more complex, encompassing a variety of tasks that require advanced skills such as diagnosis, prescription, and patient education.
One of the significant changes is the increased emphasis on evidence-based practice. Evidence-based nursing involves rigorous research and analysis to inform decisions, providing a foundation for safe and effective patient care. This shift towards evidence-based practice has led to a substantial increase in the number of nurses holding bachelor’s degrees. Baccalaureate-prepared nurses are better equipped to integrate evidence-based research findings into patient care.
Moreover, the differentiation between an associate and baccalaureate education in nursing is significant. BSN graduates receive more in-depth and extensive education, including courses in leadership, research, and nursing theory. This kind of education immerses nurses in foundational knowledge, providing them with the necessary competencies to care for patients more effectively. Therefore, the scope of practice between ADN and BSN nurses is different, including patient education, coordination of care, and management of patients’ conditions.
To illustrate, a client care situation where nursing care differs between the ADN and BSN-prepared nurse is pressure ulcer management. The BSN-prepared nurse has a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of pressure ulcers and how to prevent them. They utilize evidence-based approaches, such as risk-assessment tools and interdisciplinary collaboration, to develop interventions that are patient-centered, effective, and evidence-based. On the other hand, the ADN-prepared nurse has a limited understanding of pressure ulcer prevention and management, relying on basic care and comfort measures.
In conclusion, nursing practice has changed significantly over time, resulting in a shift in the scope of practice and approach to treating patients. The differentiation between the ADN and BSN education in nursing is significant, and evidence-based practice plays a crucial role in contemporary nursing. Nursing graduates, specifically those with a BSN, are better equipped to integrate research findings into their practice, ultimately resulting in safer and more effective outcomes. Nursing practice today requires communication and collaboration within interdisciplinary teams, and our students must be prepared to meet these requirements.
